2023 Season Review: Leeds Rhinos

12 Nov 2023

Leeds Rhinos went from Grand Finalists to missing out on the play-offs in 2023, in what was an often difficult campaign.

It wasn't without its highlights - Rohan Smith's side recorded wins at St Helens in March, Wigan in May and Warrington in June.

AUSTINNNNN ?@leedsrhinos spoil the Saints party in the #GrandFinal rematch ?#SuperLeague #SLStHLee pic.twitter.com/2LHqj5kHVB
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 3, 2023

But the fact that they never once occupied a top six spot provides a clear illustration of how their season played out, with consistency and an unusually poor home record costing them any hope of repeating their 2022 Old Trafford journey.

The season's opening night provided some insights into what would unfold, as the Rhinos were comprehensively beaten 42-10 at Warrington.

A second loss to Hull FC followed, and although Leeds responded with wins over Saints and Wakefield, the next game saw an underwhelming defeat at struggling Castleford.

Then came their most productive run of the whole year, with three wins from four including impressive wins over Catalans and Hull FC briefly lifting them into seventh.

But they would win just once in their next seven outings, a run that included being dumped out of the Betfred Challenge Cup by Wigan at Headingley.

There was an upturn in form during that run - but three consecutive defeats by less than a try went a long way to shaping their season, including a late Magic Weekend loss to local rivals the Tigers.

"It wasn't anywhere near the standard needed," Smith reflected after that defeat. "We've been up for it a lot lately and today our execution was a long way off."

Play-off hopes were revived with three straight wins over Huddersfield, Warrington and Salford, and suddenly the Rhinos were back up to seventh.

But then narrow losses came again - to Hull KR, St Helens and Leigh - all but ending Leeds' top six hopes.

By this stage Blake Austin had followed skipper Kruise Leeming in leaving mid-season and with Nene Macdonald soon to return Down Under for personal reasons and injuries hitting other areas of the squad, Smith's first choice team looked much different from the start of the campaign.

His side kept battling with wins over Warrington and Hull FC mathematically keeping their play-off hopes alive despite defeat to Huddersfield in between.

We've got a game on at Headingley ?@leedsrhinos take a two-point lead live on #OURLEAGUE ?#SuperLeague #SLLeeWar pic.twitter.com/hxYLgVzAAz
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 20, 2023

But those fading hopes were ended by crushing defeats to Wigan and Catalans during which the Rhinos failed to score a single point. The 61-0 loss to the Dragons was also a record margin for the club in the summer era.

"We had 10 of our top 22/23 players not available," Smith pointed out after the game. "There was never a plan to have that so we are learning some hard lessons and the experiences are tough.

"They are tough for all of us - tough for the fans and for everyone connected to the club. It is a rough time, but we have got to fight out of it."

Smith's side did rally to finish the year on a high by finally beating rivals Castleford at home on the final night despite missing even more players through injury, offering hope for the 2024 campaign.

There were individual positives amid the difficulties this year, with Cameron Smith growing into his role in the number 13 shirt, Rhyse Martin a model of consistency no matter where he was asked to play, and Richie Myler a creative force before injury also ended his campaign.

Ash Handley finished as top try scorer, Sam Lisone proved a shrewd acquisition from the NRL and Jarrod O'Connor grew into his role as a first choice Super League hooker. O'Connor and Smith were both in the competition's top three tacklers at the end of the campaign.

Smith also has a fresh crop of talented young players pushing through for the future, headed by Leon Ruan, Jack Sinfield and Corey Johnson, with Morgan Gannon and Tom Holroyd continuing their development despite untimely injury blows.

For a club used to regular silverware and near annual Old Trafford visits, the 2023 season won't go down as one to remember.

But Smith will be hoping that there have been enough shoots of hope to regroup and challenge again come next year.

Key man

Cameron Smith emerged as a genuine leader for the Rhinos in 2023, taking his side forward from the front even in adversity.

Cameron Smith powers across the line for @leedsrhinos ? pic.twitter.com/OEbZSmfi5V
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 9, 2023

Handed the club's iconic number 13 shirt, Smith did it full justice with committed, immersive performances from the back of the pack. Smith also proved to be a regular try scoring threat close to the line, with his celebration after touching down in the May win at Wigan a season highlight.

Rising star

As the Rhinos half-back selections changed dramatically during the course of the season, teenage playmaker Jack Sinfield was handed more chances in the side to continue his rapid development. The Leeds Academy graduate acquitted himself well in often trying circumstances this year, and looks well placed to make further strides in 2024 alongside the likes of Leon Ruan and Corey Johnson.

Season highlight

When Rohan Smith's side won 16-14 at Salford Red Devils in July - a third success in a row - they were up to seventh and very much in the play-offs race. But that would prove as good as it would get for the Rhinos, with successive narrow defeats to St Helens, Hull KR and Leigh seeing them slip off the pace and effectively defining their season.